Swing & Vintage Jazz Dance: Styles, History & Tempo Guide
African American jazz-era dances and their descendants: Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, East and West Coast Swing, Shag and Hustle.
E
East Coast Swing
United States (simplified from Lindy Hop by dance studios)
Lindy Hop
Harlem, New York — the Savoy Ballroom
West Coast Swing
California
Charleston
African American communities of the South; named after Charleston, South Carolina
Balboa
Southern California (Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach)
C
Carolina Shag
Myrtle Beach and the Carolina coast
H
Hustle
New York City discos
Compare swing styles
| Style | Origin | Meter | Tempo (BPM) | Difficulty | Partner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Coast Swing | United States (simplified from Lindy Hop by dance studios) | 4/4 | 120–176 | Yes | |
| Lindy Hop | Harlem, New York — the Savoy Ballroom | 4/4 (swing) | 120–240 | Yes | |
| West Coast Swing | California | 4/4 | 80–130 | Yes | |
| Charleston | African American communities of the South; named after Charleston, South Carolina | 4/4 | 200–280 | Solo | |
| Balboa | Southern California (Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach) | 4/4 | 160–320 | Yes | |
| Carolina Shag | Myrtle Beach and the Carolina coast | 4/4 | 110–130 | Yes | |
| Hustle | New York City discos | 4/4 | 110–125 | Yes |
Tempo ranges are typical social and competition ranges; ballroom figures follow WDSF/NDCA bars-per-minute standards. Difficulty is our editorial estimate for adult beginners (1 = easiest).